Category: Food & DrinkPart of speech: nounDifficulty: Intermediate

tofu

/tofu/Roman
US/ˈtoʊfu/
UK/tˈəʊfuː/

English meaning: Tofu

Definition

Tofu is a soft white food made from soybeans, often used instead of meat.

Example

She marinated the tofu in soy sauce before frying it until the edges were crisp.

Another example: She marinated the tofu in soy sauce and ginger before grilling it.

Usage — When, Where & How

Neutral, everyday noun, especially common in vegetarian, vegan and East-Asian food contexts. Uncountable ("some tofu"). Often used as a meat substitute.

Etymology & Origin

English — Origin & History

From Japanese 'tofu', from Chinese 'doufu' (bean curd).

Synonyms

  • bean curd

Related Words

  • seitan
  • tempeh
  • coagulant
  • edamame
  • stinky
  • vermicelli
  • braised
  • soy
  • miso
  • curd
  • omelette
  • kimchi

Common Collocations

  • firm tofu
  • silken tofu
  • fried tofu
  • a block of tofu
  • press the tofu
  • tofu stir-fry

Word Forms

tofu; tofus (pl, rare)

Word Tools

2 syllables

Literary Heritage

To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.

/To thine own self be true/

Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.

William Shakespeare · Playwright & Poet · 1564–1616

Hamlet, Act II

Hamlet, II.i — Polonius's parting words to Laertes; the most quoted line in Shakespeare

I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?

/I'm nobody! Who are you?/

I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.

Emily Dickinson · Poet · 1830–1886

Poems

Poem 288 — Dickinson's subversive celebration of solitude over social recognition

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Language information

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English
English
Script
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Family
Indo-European
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